Need Suggestions For Another Rifle...

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vee

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Hello all!

So I'm a new gun owner; I've recently purchased a .22 semi-automatic rifle to see if shooting was something I could get into. It definitely was! :evil: I've only put about 500 rounds through the .22, but now I'm wanting something different.

Here's what I'm looking for...

1) Something that packs a punch.
2) Supports cheap and easy to find ammo.
3) Bolt or semi is fine.
4) Easily upgradable/modifiable.
5) Ammo can be used in other commonly found rifles.
6) Not a Mosin Nagant (I'm already planning on purchasing one).
7) Under $500.

Any suggestions?
 
Sounds like you're describing a used Ruger Mini 14 or 30 like I just bought for $420 (.223 or 7.62). Or a cheap used AR or AK possibly though they would personally be my second choices lol. Though a bolt gun Savage or Remington in .223 or .308 or some other easy to find cheap caliber would be a valid option. All depends on what you need to "pack a punch" for...hunting?
 
5.56/223 is usually cheap and easy to find ammo. You can find bolt guns well under 500 and semi-auto for 625-650 (and up).

7.62x39 is also cheap, but less easy to find (at times). You can pick up an SKS for $275 or AK variant for a little more.
 
Lots of good used bolt action .308s out there. Ammo is common and fairly cheap as well
 
Savage/stevens 200 series. .223.or 308 can be bought for around 300 dollars maybe less. Add a 3-9 scope and ready for cheap play or some hunting. Maybe add a rifle basics trigger to it. You can NOT shoot 5 56 ammo in it but wally world 223 is cheap and the 308 version can shoot nato 7.62x51 ammo and makes for a better hunting rifle .
 
SKS for punch and easily found cheaper ammo if you are going to use iron sights. Something else IMO if you want a super duper scoped fire arm.
 
easily upgraded/ modified and price are an issue lol. You got the savage actions in what ever you want, used ARs and Minis, and maybe an AK, the previously mentioned SKS. If you want to tinker with most other action types (beyond stock replacement), your going to have to be willing to spend decent money on them.
 
vee said:
1) Something that packs a punch.
2) Supports cheap and easy to find ammo.
3) Bolt or semi is fine.
4) Easily upgradable/modifiable.
5) Ammo can be used in other commonly found rifles.
6) Not a Mosin Nagant (I'm already planning on purchasing one).
7) Under $500.

Any suggestions?
Click to expand...

1) This can mean a whole bunch of things to a whole bunch of people. Need more info.
2) Cheap like "surplus" cheap or ???
If the Mosin Nagant is out (and I'm totally with you on that one) that leaves the 5.56x45 NATO (.223 Rem), 7.62x39 (AK, SKS, Saiga and a few bolt guns), and 5.45x39 (AK and Saiga). The .308 and .30-06 are probably the next ones on the list for "cheap" and "bolt or semi". If you plan to reload, then the world is your oyster, and I pay for a new set of Lee rifle dies the first or second time I take the rifle to the range.
4) What kinds up upgrades/modifications are you talking about? When you bring this up I start thinking AR-15, but not likely to hit your $500 target.
5) Why? But regardless... The 5.56/.223 Rem, 7.62x39, .308, .30-06 probably top the list.
7) SKS, Kel-Tec SU-16, Saiga, Savage 11/111, Marlin XL7/XS7, Stevens 200.

On that list I have a SKS, SU-16A, Savage 11, Savage 110. All of them are very good at what they do.

Savage and CZ make bolt guns for the 7.62x39. Of the two I'd go with the Savage.

On the cheap I'd go with a Chinese/Norinco SKS or Stevens 200. SKS for "firepower", whatever that means, or for a "truck/trunk/ranch gun" and Stevens for accuracy. The Savage will have a better trigger out of the box than the Stevens, but the one on the Stevens can be adjusted to be just as nice. The Stevens can use the same "upgrade" parts as the Savage.

Both of my Savage centerfires shoot 1/2" to 3/4" groups.

The SKS or any of the AK/Saiga rifles will probably shoot no better than 3" groups at 100 yards. Fine for many applications. The Stevens will likely shoot 1" groups.

If you get a bolt action, also plan on some money for a scope. As for the SKS, I've yet to see one shoot better with a scope, and some a lot worse.

I have a BSA red dot on my SU-16 and it shoots ~1" groups at 50 yards with cheap Wolf ammo (the dot is bigger than my groups FWIW). I have shot 1.5" groups at 100 yards with XM-193 with the irons. You can do some of the same modification of a SU-16 as with an AR (rails, collapsable stocks).
 
hardluk1 said:
Savage/stevens 200 series. .223.or 308 can be bought for around 300 dollars maybe less. Add a 3-9 scope and ready for cheap play or some hunting. Maybe add a rifle basics trigger to it. You can NOT shoot 5 56 ammo in it but wally world 223 is cheap and the 308 version can shoot nato 7.62x51 ammo and makes for a better hunting rifle .
Click to expand...

A Savage 10/11/12 or Stevens 200 will not be bothered in the least by shooting 5.56 ammo. There is more steel there than the .308 version.

Savage's "Official" answer.

Can I shoot the 5.56x45 NATO ammunition in my 223 Rem? 7.62 X 51 in 308 WIN?
Savage Arms does not recommend the use of any military surplus ammunition. As stated in the owner's manuals, you should only shoot the caliber that is stamped on the side of your barrel.
Click to expand...

ETA: CIP proof loads for the 5.56 and .223 are loaded to the same pressure.
 
You can do it. Savage said NO. 5.56 allready has higher pressure levels and then you spike that in a 223 chamber . I called savage some time back to ask when I hgave mine to my son-in-law. They told me not to shoot 5.56. Thats good enough for me. hell of a differnce betwwen a proof load and shootinf that time and time again till it blows up.. Kinda like a dumby that keeps shooting +P in a handgun not rated for it sooner or later it will blow it up.
 
Older Marlin 30-30... If you can find a 45-70 Guide Gun... That would be a nice rifle. Not cheap ammo though...
 
vee take it from me back when I got into shooting as a teenager. Had to be fun and cheap. I picked up an SKS for $99 and a case of surplus ammo for another $99. Did the trick for a while. Then got an AK, Then a whole bunch of other mil surps finally got into AR's and bolt action rifles. Liked shooting the SKS much better than the AK's. My favorites now is a Savage MKII BV 22lr, an AR-15 and my Savage 308.
 
Buy a 91/30 Mosin Nagant. They are everywhere for about 100 bucks. Privi ammo is about 16 bucks a box and is not corrosive and can be reloaded. The cartridge has similar ballistics as a 3006......That way you can shoot cheap while you decide what you want in a nice rifle......chris3
 
semi auto is fun, but your be better served with a bolt or a lever- levers are a lot of fun, but on cost of gun and cost of ammo, i'd pick a 223 bolt. cheap ammo , cheap guns, and a lot of choices
 
Lever guns are big fun to shoot and they fit your budget. If you go for the Marlin 1894c you can shoot handgun ammo....38 special or .357 magnum. For MORE punch, the Marlin 336 or Winchester 94 in 30-30.
 
Just make sure that you buy a chunk of ammo (if for a semi-auto) months before the election next November.

The retail staff and private sellers will again do their best to create an ammo panic, as will many who sell semi-auto military-styled sporting rifles. It certainly worked (for a few months) After the last election.

Some ammo distributors already warned buddies late last winter about imminent 25% price increases, due late in the spring (April-May), but it fell through.
 
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